Garment hanging and folding device

ABSTRACT

A folding hanger for hanging and folding garments includes a plurality of brackets. The plurality of brackets are connected to one another and have the ability to be folded together. The plurality of brackets are locked in the folded position by a locking device. The garment hanging and folding device provides for a space saving device as well as an easy and wrinkle free way of packing clothes for traveling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/596,632, filed Feb. 8, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garment hanger and, more particularly, to a garment hanger and folder.

Standard hangers are used frequently; however standard hangers are not conducive to a neat and orderly closet. Standard hangers are also not helpful when a user would like to pack their clothes for travel. There are other devices or systems that address storage, packing and space utilization issues, however none of them address all of the problems while also creating a tight fold-locked garment that is quickly and easily accessible for packing or wearing.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that organizes garments and is conducive to packing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a folding hanger comprises a plurality of brackets comprising at least a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein a top of said second bracket is connected to a bottom of said first bracket by a hinge; a locking mechanism attached to a top of said first bracket, wherein said bottom of said second bracket rotates towards said top of said first bracket in a retracted position and said locking mechanism locks said second bracket in said retracted position; and a hook attached to at least one of said top of said first bracket or said locking mechanism.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment hanging and folding device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 illustrated with a rotating lock body in a locked position and a hook in retracted state;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 illustrated with a rotating lock body in a locked position and the hook in non-retracted state;

FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 illustrated with a rotating lock body in an unlocked position and a hook in retracted state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 including a hinge;

FIG. 6: is a perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 shown in use with an exemplary garment and brackets in a non-folded configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 demonstrating a mid-folded-state of a third bracket;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 demonstrating a fully-folded-state of a third bracket with an exemplary garment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 demonstrating a mid-folded-state of a second bracket;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 demonstrating a fully-folded-state of a second bracket with an exemplary garment and with the device in the unlocked position; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the garment hanging and folding device of FIG. 1 demonstrating a fully-folded-state of a second bracket with an exemplary garment and with device in the locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, the present invention provides a garment hanging and folding device. The garment hanging and folding device is a folding hanger with a plurality of brackets. The plurality of brackets are connected to one another and have the ability to be folded together. The plurality of brackets are locked in the folded position by a locking device. The garment hanging and folding device saves space and provides for an easy way of packing clothes for traveling and avoiding wrinkling.

FIG. 1 provides an embodiment of the invention. The folding hanger includes a plurality of brackets. The plurality of brackets includes at least a first bracket 10 and a second bracket 12. The plurality of brackets may further include a third bracket 14. The bottom of the first bracket 10 may be connected to the top of the second bracket 12 by a hinge 18. The bottom of the second bracket 12 may also be connected to the top of the third bracket 14 by a hinge 18. The folding hanger may further include a hook 20 and a locking mechanism attached to the top of the first bracket 10.

The plurality of brackets may be made of a plastic, metal wiring or the like. In certain embodiments, the first bracket 10 may be about 16.5 inches wide and about 10.25 inches in height, the second bracket 12 may be about 14.5 inches wide and about 8 inches in height, and the third bracket 14 may be about 13 inches wide and about 7 inches in height. However, it is envisioned that the brackets may be of a different length and width, and is thereby encompassed herein. For example, the brackets may be smaller and thereby used for children's clothing. The folding hanger may also be larger for big and tall sized garments. In certain embodiments, the folding hanger may include more than three brackets, including but not limited to, four or five brackets.

In certain embodiments, the folding hanger includes a screen 16. The screen 16 may be used to support the garments and to prevent the garments from going through the brackets. In certain embodiments, the screen may be within at least one of the brackets. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 through 11, the screen 16 is located within the third bracket 14. The screen 16 may comprise any configuration of intertwining plastic or wire.

The hook 20 may be used to hang the folding hanger on a clothes rack. The hook 20 may be attached to at least one of the top of the first bracket 14 or the locking mechanism. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hook 20 is attached to the rotating lock body 22 of the locking mechanism. In certain embodiments, the hook 20 may be in a retracted state and a non-retracted state. The retracted state of the hook 20 provides for easy maneuvering and travel, while a non-retracted state of the hook 20 allows the hook 20 to be hung on a clothing rack. The hook may be in the retracted and non-retracted state by collapsing, folding, or rotating into the main hanger structure. In certain embodiments, the hook may include a knob. The knob may provide an easier grasp of hook 20, so that a user may easily place the hook 20 in a retracted state or non-retracted state. In certain embodiments, the hook 20 is made of plastic, metal wire, or the like. In certain embodiments, the hook 20 is about 3 inches in length.

The locking mechanism may be attached to the top of the first bracket. The locking mechanism may keep the second bracket in a locked retracted position. As illustrated in FIG. 2 through 4, the locking mechanism may include a rotating lock body 22 and a rotating lock body pivot 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating lock body pivot 24 attaches the rotating lock body 22 to the top of the first bracket and allows the rotating lock body 22 to rotate. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating lock body 22 includes a plurality of rotating lock body tabs 34 and a receiver 26 on the rotating lock body tabs 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism further includes a lock pin 28, and a rear lock tab 32 on the top of the first bracket 10.

In certain embodiments, for the locking mechanism to be locked, the lock pin 28 on the top of the first bracket fits into one of the receivers 26 of the rotating lock body tabs 34. In certain embodiments, the rotating lock body tabs 34 are about 2.25 inches in length and width. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lock pin 28 is fit into a receiver 26 of a rotating lock body tab 34 and is therefore locked in the shown position. One of the rotating lock body tabs 34 is lined up with the rear lock body tab 32. The hook 20 is in a retracted state. FIG. 3 shows the lock pin 28 fit into a receiver 26 of the other rotating lock body tab 34. Again, a rotating lock body tab 34 is lined up with the rear lock body tab 32 in a locked position. The hook 20 is in a non-retracted state. FIG. 4 provides an example of an unlocked locking mechanism. The lock pin 28 is not in a receiver 26, and the rotating lock body tabs 34 are not lined up with the rear lock body tab 32. Further, the hook 20 is in an un-retracted state.

The hinges 18 connecting the plurality of brackets allow the brackets to rotate toward one another. An example of the hinges is presented in FIGS. 1 and 5. In such embodiments, the hinge 18 includes a female end of one bracket meeting with the male end of another bracket. For example, the top of the second bracket 12 may include a female end and the bottom of the first bracket 10 may include a male end which fits into the female end. The top of the third bracket 12 may include a female end and the bottom of the second bracket 10 may include a male end which fits into the female end. However, it is envisioned that the hinge may be made by other methods known in the art, which are thereby encompassed herein.

FIG. 6 through 11 provide an example of an embodiment of the invention in use. A garment 30, including a neck hole 36 and a sleeve 38, may be utilized on the folding hanger. As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position and the hook 20 is in a non-retracted state. The garment 30 is fit onto the folding hanger. The third bracket 14 may be folded toward and into the second bracket 12 by rotating the third bracket 14 at the hinge 18. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the bottom of the garment 30 is thereby folded toward the middle of the garment 30.

A second fold is displayed in FIGS. 9 and 10. Prior to the second fold, in certain embodiments, the sleeves 38 of the garment 30 may be folded over the body of the garment 30. The second bracket 12 may be folded toward and into the first bracket 10 at the hinge 18. The second bracket 12 may be folded toward and into the first bracket 10 by rotating the bottom of the second bracket 12 towards the top of the first bracket 10 and into a retracted position. FIG. 10 provides an example of the garment 30 being folded twice and the bottom of the second bracket 12 being near the top of the first bracket 10 and in a retracted position.

FIG. 11 provides an example of the locking mechanism being locked after the folding process. The rotating lock body 22 of the locking mechanism is rotated so that the lock pin 28 locks into a receiver 26 of a rotating lock body tab 34. The bottom of the second bracket 12 is between the rear lock tab 32 and the rotating lock body tab 34 and therefore is in a locked position. In this embodiment, the hook 20 is in a non-retracted state and is protruding through the neck hole 36 of the garment 30. The garment 30 is now locked in a folded position.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A folding hanger comprising: a plurality of brackets comprising at least a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein a top of said second bracket is connected to a bottom of said first bracket by a hinge; a locking mechanism attached to a top of said first bracket, wherein a bottom of said second bracket rotates towards said top of said first bracket in a retracted position and said locking mechanism locks said second bracket in said retracted position; and a hook attached to at least one of said top of said first bracket or said locking mechanism.
 2. The folding hanger of claim 1, further comprising a third bracket, wherein a top of said third bracket is connected to said bottom of said second bracket by a hinge.
 3. The folding hanger of claim 2, wherein said at least one of said brackets comprises a screen.
 4. The folding hanger of claim 1, wherein said hook is in a retracted or non-retracted state.
 5. The folding hanger of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a rotating lock body attached to said top of said first bracket by a rotating lock body pivot.
 6. The folding hanger of claim 5, wherein said hook is attached to said rotating lock body pivot.
 7. The folding hanger of claim 5, wherein said rotating lock body comprises a plurality of lock body tabs.
 8. The folding hanger of claim 7, wherein said top of said first bracket comprises a rear lock tab and wherein, in a locked position, said bottom of said second bracket is locked between said rear lock tab and said at least one of the plurality of lock body tabs.
 9. The folding hanger of claim 8, wherein said top of said first bracket comprises a lock pin.
 10. The folding hanger of claim 9, wherein said plurality of lock body tabs comprise a receiver, wherein said lock pin fits in the said receiver when in said locked position. 